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Post by atgordon on Jan 12, 2009 4:10:02 GMT
Although a long way from boiler construction, I did some research of purchasing seemless copper tube in the US, and I find that it is supplied in 5.125" OD/4.875 ID form. Is the extra 1/8" going to be a major problem? I know that I can construct the boiler from 1/8" sheet but was hoping to avoid trying to find a way to roll a long barrel ...
Also, if anyone has a source for the copper tube in the UK (rather than a kit since I can pick up 1/8" plate), I would be interested in seeing if that would work.
Thanks
Tony Gordon
Midland, MI
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Post by jgb7573 on Jan 12, 2009 9:35:37 GMT
I don't know details of the design, but you may have trouble fitting all the tubes in. So long as you don't lose more than one or two tubes, there should be no problem with steaming.
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Post by baggo on Jan 12, 2009 10:43:07 GMT
Hi Tony,
Using the slightly larger tube shouldn't matter at all. Use what you can get easily. You may have to adjust the width of the tanks slightly to compensate and increase the diameter of the smokebox though.
If you are intending to build the boiler as drawn, check with your boiler inspector beforehand as some don't like the design of the firebox crown stays i.e. they are not attached to the outer wrapper. You may have to make them full height and attached to the wrapper to comply with the regs over there.
John
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Post by atgordon on Jan 12, 2009 23:48:18 GMT
Thanks John, that is sorta what I thought regarding the slightly larger dia. Now I've got to try and decipher the 4 grades of copper tube that are supplied at that dia to see which is best for a boiler!
In terms of boiler inspector ... they are thin on the ground in the US. Remember the steam tractor that blew apart in Ohio and killed three people didn't need an inspection or a boiler cert ... it sometimes is the wild west!
On the other hand, there are a number of live steam societies over here who will nominate a boiler inspector and so I am confident I will find someone when needed
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